Sen. Benton Sawrey

Maddy summarySB 425 caps disciplinary fees for chiropractors at $2,000 per case, including all costs like attorney fees, investigative expenses, and meeting costs. It also requires the North Carolina Chiropractic Board to maintain detailed meeting minutes, recording speaker names, comments, and vote outcomes for public transparency. The bill applies to all disciplinary actions starting October 1, 2025, directly affecting chiropractors facing disciplinary proceedings and the Board's procedural practices.

Maddy summarySB 396 creates a new pathway for physicians, physician assistants, and anesthesiologist assistants to obtain a North Carolina medical license through "endorsement," allowing them to practice in the state if they hold an active license in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least five years (with two years of post-residency practice for physicians). Applicants must provide employer verification of a full-time job offer in North Carolina, proof of good standing with no recent disciplinary actions, and documentation of active practice (averaging 20+ hours weekly). The bill also establishes higher application fees for endorsement pathways (e.g., $825 for physicians vs. $400 for standard applications) and requires licensees to submit additional documentation within 120 days to keep their endorsement license active. This bill directly affects out-of-state medical professionals seeking to practice in North Carolina.

Maddy summarySB 410 allows hospitals in North Carolina to ask a court for permission to discharge adult patients (18+) who cannot make or communicate health decisions, when no authorized person (like a family member or legal guardian) will consent to the discharge. Hospitals must first get written agreement from two licensed doctors that the discharge is medically appropriate, and wait five business days after that agreement before filing the court petition. The court must rule on the petition within five business days. This bill directly affects hospitals, incapacitated adult patients, and their authorized decision-makers by creating a new court process for discharge decisions.

Maddy summarySB 426, the Student Borrowers' Bill of Rights, requires the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks to license and regulate student loan servicers operating in the state, directly affecting borrowers who took out loans for education at North Carolina institutions or for in-state school expenses. The bill mandates that all student loan servicers (excluding banks, credit unions, state entities, and certain educational institutions) obtain a license through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System, ensuring fair treatment and clear accountability. It establishes a Student Loan Ombudsman position to handle borrower complaints and defines key terms like "servicer" and "overpayment" to clarify protections. The law aims to prevent unfair practices by standardizing servicer conduct and providing borrowers with a formal complaint pathway.

Maddy summarySB 428 (Water Transfer Regulations) requires permits for large-scale transfers of surface water between North Carolina's river basins. It mandates a certificate from the state commission for transfers exceeding 2 million gallons per day (or increases of 25%+ for existing transfers), with exceptions for facilities operational by July 1993. The bill establishes public hearing requirements, including meetings in source and receiving basins, and requires applicants to evaluate alternatives to transfers. It directly affects water users, local governments, and utilities planning cross-basin water transfers. The law aims to regulate water movement between drainage areas while maintaining existing infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 373 (Vaccination Schedule Variance/Minors) prohibits healthcare providers (including doctors, physician assistants, and nurses) from refusing to treat minors or their parents/guardians solely because they choose to delay or vary from the CDC's recommended vaccination schedule. The bill ensures minors cannot be discriminated against for this reason, while clarifying that mandatory vaccination requirements under state law (G.S. 130A-152) still apply. Violations would be considered unprofessional conduct by licensing boards. The law requires the Medical Board and Nursing Board to adopt implementing rules, with the main provision effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 380 amends North Carolina's administrative procedure law to make it easier for trade and business associations to challenge agency rules on behalf of their members. The bill creates a presumption that these groups have legal standing to seek declaratory rulings (court interpretations of agency rules) unless the agency provides specific written reasons to the contrary. It also requires agencies to respond to such requests within 45 days, or the request is treated as denied for judicial review. The law applies to declarations requested on or after July 1, 2025, and directly affects business groups seeking to contest agency actions.

Maddy summarySB 376 increases funding for North Carolina's State Auditor's Office to enhance oversight of state government finances. The bill allocates $95,000 one-time for recruitment, $3 million for audit infrastructure, and $1 million for office space in 2025-2026, plus $6.7 million annually for 70 new staff, $500,000 for salary increases, and $5 million yearly for technology upgrades. These funds aim to expand audit capacity, improve fraud detection, and modernize systems for better accountability of taxpayer funds. The State Auditor must report on fund usage, including audit results and efficiency gains, by December 2025.

Maddy summarySB 332, the Health Care Practitioner Transparency Act, requires health care professionals (like doctors, nurses, and dentists) who advertise services to clearly state their specific license or certification type in all marketing materials (such as websites, brochures, or business cards). It prohibits using misleading titles (e.g., "cardiologist" or "surgeon") if not licensed for that specialty, and bans false claims about qualifications. The law applies to all patient-facing practitioners in advertising, with enforcement handled by licensing boards through disciplinary actions for violations. It takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not apply to non-patient-facing roles like administrative staff.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill (SB 346) provides limited legal immunity for people who seek medical help during drug or alcohol overdoses. It protects individuals from minor charges (like possession of less than 1 gram of drugs or underage alcohol consumption) if they call 911 or assist others in calling for overdose emergencies, provided they act in good faith, provide their name, and weren’t seeking help during an active arrest. The immunity also extends to the overdose victim themselves and prevents probation/parole revocation for these covered offenses. The law applies to acts occurring on or after October 1, 2025, and does not affect evidence collection for other crimes.